Workers welcome drug blitzes in area of officer-involved shooting

Workers welcome drug blitzes in area of officer-involved shooting (WKEF/WRGT)

HARRISON TWP, Ohio (WKEF/WRGT) – An officer-involved shooting on Needmore Road Wednesday morning is just one of the crimes that continues to impact the economy in the area.

Police had been approaching a man during a drug deal when a suspect got into his car and took off, hitting a Trotwood officer as he drove away. A Montgomery County Sheriff’s Deputy started firing as the suspect hit the other officer, who also bot back up on his feet and began to shoot. That suspect later died.

Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer said the incident began as part of a drug blitz.

“There’s where we have numerous law enforcement departments coming together to fight the heroin and opioid epidemic,” he said.

Residents in the area liked the sound of the crack down.

“That definitely would help the economy around this general area,” Phil Kim said.

He owns an auto body shop just down the street from the shooting.

“If you see that shopping center back there, it’s empty,” he said, “because people are afraid to do business here.”

The small shop went from 5 security cameras to 16 because they were concerned about the potential dangers.

“We had a friend who was going to rent the spot back there, but he backed off,” Kim said.

“If just the drugs were gone, this area would be booming again,” he added.

Instead, Kim is seeing his insurance go up with each incident.

“We will stay here until 10,” he said, “but we don’t see any cops patrol this area.”

Sheriff Plummer said the blitzes began Monday, and will carry on through the week.